EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY IN OUR SCHOOLS

I hesitate to embrace the moniker of “Outsider” because the Twin Cities and education have long been my home. I grew up in Minnesota and put down roots in St. Paul when I returned years ago, and I have built my career in service to the belief that all students deserve an opportunity to attain an excellent education. It is true, however, that I did not seek an endorsement from either political party or the teachers’ union. I didn’t attend St. Paul Public Schools, nor do any of my family. I have never run for an elected office. And I believe that excellence should regain a place alongside equity when driving district decisions.

My varied experiences and perspectives will strengthen the board. I have taught in the age of standardized testing (post-No Child Left Behind, 2002) and have embraced the ability of assessments to provide insight into what students knew, what they had yet to learn and what would be good next steps. When I observed that traditional approaches to teacher development were not doing enough to leverage the impact of top teacher leaders, I joined the National Academy for Advanced Teacher Education to design a better model. And as a teacher at one of the nation’s most well-respected charter schools, I was part of a team that collectively demonstrated the power of engaging instruction, meaningful relationships with students and a relentless focus on improvement.

The other candidates and I share a belief that a great learning institution is one that is diverse, inclusive and equitable. I stand apart in the high value I place on excellence and effectiveness: Excellence enables equity, and equity enables excellence. When every part of an organization is striving for excellence, every student wins.

I am excited about the direction of St. Paul Public Schools and look forward to working with you to improve every student’s educational experience.

Andrea Touhey, St. Paul The writer is a candidate for St. Paul School Board.

REASONABLE CONTROLS

On Oct. 5, the Pioneer Press ran an op-ed by Rep. Jason Lewis (“Blueprint for growth — tax reform, spending restraint”). In that piece he stated that “I didn’t come to Washington to bide time.” He went on to state that “I ran for Congress to do something meaningful.” I commend him for those sentiments, and now is the time. Gun control is needed, and that is more meaningful than anything; in fact, it is life saving. Gun control needs to be done now, and we simply can’t just “bide time.” Too many people have already died, many of them school-children. That’s as meaningful as it gets.

Before the horrific killings in Vegas, we’ve had the Pulse nightclub 2016. Sandy Hook 2012. Fort Hood 2009. Virginia Tech 2007. Columbine High 1999. Need I go any further? Need I list hundreds of other horrific shootings? Can we afford to “bide time” before hundreds more are killed? Can we afford to “bide time” while thousands more family members grieve the loss of their loved ones? Can we afford to “bide time” while our nation continues killing itself at an alarming rate? I think not.

The first and most basic function of government is to protect its citizens. That is the most “meaningful” of tasks. Let’s insist that Rep. Lewis take that responsibility seriously. I’m a strong proponent of the Second Amendment. I have friends and family who hunt and own guns. The discussion is not about taking away guns from reasonable people, nor is it about elimination of the Second Amendment. I’m also a strong proponent of the First Amendment, but long ago we all accepted the Supreme Court’s decision that freedom of speech does not give us the right to yell “Fire” in the middle of a crowded theater. We retained our freedom of speech with reasonable control. The same reasonable controls can be attained with regard to the Second Amendment, but not without meaningful action, and there is no more “time to bide.” We need to stop our nation from killing itself, and we need Congress to take meaningful action now. Insist that Rep. Lewis take meaningful action now, because as he said we can’t just wait and “bide time.” Nothing Rep. Lewis does could ever be more meaningful than to enact meaningful gun control legislation.

Send letters to the editor or Sainted/Tainted entries to letters@pioneerpress.com or to 10 River Park Plaza #700, St. Paul MN 55107.

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